![Rufus McLean returns for Glasgow Warriors versus La Rochelle tomorrow [Saturday] night. Image: © Craig Watson - www.craigwatson.co.uk](https://i0.wp.com/www.theoffsideline.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Rufus-McLean-scaled-e1642767271594.jpg?resize=678%2C381&ssl=1 "Rufus McLean returns for Glasgow Warriors versus La Rochelle tomorrow [Saturday] night. Image: © Craig Watson - www.craigwatson.co.uk")
DANNY WILSON has freshened up his Glasgow Warriors side for tomorrow night’s final Champions Cup pool match against La Rochelle at Scotstoun by adding loose-head prop Oli Kebble, hooker Fraser Brown as captain, second-row Richie Gray and live-wire winger Rufus McLean to his starting XV.
George Turner, Jamie Bhatti and Kiran McDonald drop to the bench. while Cole Forbes is out of the squad altogether.
Tight-head prop Simon Berghan is to return off the bench from the Achilles injury which has kept him out since mid-September, while back-three man Ollie Smith has also been added to the replacements roster in place of Sebastian Cancelliere.
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Warriors are looking to bounce back from a 52-17 mauling away to Exeter Chiefs last week, and really need a win to ensure qualification to the last 16 of this year’s Champions Cup.
“We’re looking forward to being back at Scotstoun tomorrow night,” said head coach Wilson. “Having been in the lead 17-14 after 50 minutes we were really disappointed with the final 30 minutes of the game against Exeter. We have the opportunity to put that right on Saturday night against La Rochelle.
“It’s great to welcome back Rufus McLean, Richie Gray and Simon Berghan into the 23.
“La Rochelle are a powerful team with a quality player base and one of the big European team over recent years.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge of welcoming them to Scotstoun.”
Glasgow Warriors (v La Rochelle at Scotstoun, Saturday 8pm): J McKay; K Steyn, S Tuipulotu, S Johnson, R McLean; R Thompson, A Price; O Kebble, F Brown©, Z Fagerson, S Cummings, R Gray, M Fagerson, R Darge, J Dempsey. Replacements: G Turner, J Bhatti, S Berghan, K McDonald, R Wilson, G Horne, D Weir, O Smith.
La Rochelle: B Dulin; D Leyds, R Rhule, J Danty, P Boudehent; P Popelin, T Kerr Barlow; D Priso, P Bourgarit, U Atonio, R Sazy, R Picquette, R Bourdeau, P Boudehent, G Alldritt©. Replacements: F Bosch, L Aouf, G Papidze, T Lavault, M Tanguy, T Berjon, I West, E Buliruarua.
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Scotland now face single match to qualify for 2022 World Cup
I am listening to the LaRochelle match on Radio Scotland, and just before the half time whistle and La Rochelle score a forwards try, but what was telling for me was Peter Wright and his comment on Oli Keeble, how he didn’t get his head in to make the effort to help arrest the scoring maul?
I was at Exeter last Saturday to watch Glasgow being dismantled, but what really stood out for me was Oli Keeble when he came on in the second half, his work ethic was very poor and if you study the highlights how he just leans in at the back of driving mauls, and was a passenger for the period he was on the park.
Glasgow do not have the capability to carry a forward as a passenger, so let’s hope Oli gets a rocket at half time?
This match is not looking good for Glasgow, they are just hanging on, but being dominated, as did Exeter in the last 30 mins.
La Rochelle look to have put out a pretty fearsome top quality side, however if the Warriors can’t front up with a dozen Scottish internationals and the other three being arguably their best players this season then something is seriously amiss behind the scenes that manifested itself in last weeks capitulation.
Irrespective I’m looking forward to the battle between Aldritt and Dempsey and the rest of the French pack and Rory Darge.
Talking of packs this will be a test of our 8 which is in its absolute strongest iteration, give or take George Turner. They need to man up to give us a chance.